Teaching the Formula of Perfect Square through Bianshi Teaching

Abstract

Pedagogy of variation has been in practice for a long time in China and can be dated back to Learning to Teach by Lingyuan Gu (Gu, 1994). Pedagogy of variation now has become a popular method in teaching mathematics in China. Many Chinese researchers have developed the application of the pedagogical model for different mathematical topics, and have provided enhancement for applying the pedagogical theory of variation in China. Therefore, it is fair to say that the Chinese Pedagogy of Variation is an instructional model for designing a specific efficient learning path for students to understand a mathematical topic. The objectives of this paper are: (i) to explain the Chinese Pedagogy of Variation via its application in the teaching of a lesson of the formula of perfect square; (ii) to provide empirical evidence of what students may have learned. The study reported in this paper aimed to answer the question: Could an experimental lesson based on the application of the Chinese pedagogy of variation improve students’ learning?